If you missed the first round of PlayStation 5 consoles then you may want to get your F5 finger ready for some action as it claimed that multiple retailers will be getting more of the consoles in the next couple of days.
The @Ps5Instant stock tracker has tweeted “Currently EE & BT are expecting stock to arrive for orders on the 7th January. We’ll know for certain by Tuesday, if the stock hasn’t arrived by then, we could be waiting until the 12th & 14th for retailers to release stock.” They also say “ASDA said they expected stock as soon as Boxing day. But this can be as late as 2021 Jan 1st week.”
The Smyths website also states that the console is currently out of stock but they expect new stock this month. Earlier today Amazon UK had a couple of PlayStation 5 consoles for sale but they sold within seconds.
The scarcity of PlayStation 5 consoles in the UK (and other parts of the world) has been a recurring news story in the build up to its mid-November launch. If failing to secure a PS5 via pre-order wasn’t frustrating enough, prospective console owners have been left enraged by scalpers looking to flog them at a much higher price on marketplaces such as eBay, Facebook, and Gumtree.
A debate surrounding the act of scalping – and, more crucially, the use of bots to automatically order consoles and other expensive tech – has been called for by a number of UK Members of Parliament (MPs).
In a nutshell, they wish to block “the resale of gaming consoles and computer components at prices greatly above Manufacturer’s Recommended Retail Price”, to “[deny] unscrupulous vendors the chance to make themselves vast profits at the expense of genuine gamers and computer users, while also deterring fraudulent cybercriminal activity,” reports VGC.
In their motion, these MPs also wish to outlaw the use of automated bots which have been employed by individual scalpers and syndicates to jump retail queues. They propose legislation that mimics that surrounding the resale of concert and event tickets.
While much of the focus has been on the PS5 launch, scalpers have also targeted Microsoft’s Xbox Series X|S consoles. Even in September, when the PlayStation 5 pre-orders had just gone live, scalpers were attempted to sell their reserved console for as much as £1,500.
TSBonyman
New PS5 console stock expected to be sold out within minutes leaving many prospectful buyers disappointed and frustrated. No thanks, at this point i’m content to wait until i can walk in-store to get one.
Lieutenant Fatman
I know the feeling. I think they should consider building up some stock before putting it on sale rather than drip feeding it so these bots can continuously get it before anyone else has a chance to.
Andrewww
I got a PS5 on launch day, as I just happened to be online when the midnight sale started. However, as good as Demon’s Souls looks and as much as AstroBot is cute, I wouldn’t consider the PS5 a must-have right now. So, don’t stress out, if you can’t get one.
To be honest, I currently play more on the C64 maxi I got for Christmas, which I find more exciting, and which beats the PS5 in an objective comparison anyway: https://youtu.be/onRAdxXq9-4. Whether it’s easier to get, I’m not sure, though.
hornet1990
Bit too late for those that have had alternative presents for Christmas from their parents due to it not being available until now (like my nephew). Oh well, at least there should be plenty around for next Christmas!